You love fromage and foie gras, but did you know that French cuisine was listed by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage? Last November the "gastronomic meal of the French"-- including the social ritual of wine pairings and table settings-- was honored by UNESCO as part of the "intangible cultural heritage of humanity." Hot on the heels of this award, the French Secretary of State for Tourism has announced a brand new festival that will have foodies chomping at the bit to get to France this fall. Modeled after the wildly popular Fête de la Musique-- when a bevy of open-air concerts occur on street corners across the country on June 21-- the new national food festival will take place on September 23, the first day of autumn. Fête de la Gastronomie will celebrate the diversity of French cuisine with a focus on local cuisine showcasing the “terroir” of different regions. Expect lots of celebrity chefs cooking in the streets; we hear Thierry Marx and Alain Ducasse are on board. Another highlight: Relais & Chateaux will welcome guests into the kitchens of some 140 properties to learn the traditional French recipes.
Pictured: Alain Ducasse posing in front of his farmer’s market at the Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris.
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